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Dale Steyn picks his all-time IPL XI, selects Hardik Pandya among impact players
Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn has picked his all-time IPL playing XI and the impact players. The impact player rule was introduced last year. As per the rule, five players had to be named in the team sheet after the toss. Only one player out of them could participate in the game. Also, if a team already has four overseas players in the playing XI, they can’t ask an overseas player to play the impact player role.
Meanwhile, talking about Steyn, he has played for teams such as Royal Challengers Bangalore (2008-2010 and 2019-2020), Deccan Chargers (2011-2012), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013-2015), and Gujarat Lions (2016-2017). He has been working as the bowling coach of the 2016 winners, SRH since 2022. Meanwhile, ahead of the 2024 season, the former Protean has named his best 16 of all time.
I have picked my #AllTimeIncredibleXI for IPL. I will now deliberate with my fellow jury members @wasimakramliveofficial @haydos359 @tommoodycricket to pick the Most Incredible Team (Playing XI + Impact Subs + Coach) from 15 seasons of the league.
Watch us debate the selections… pic.twitter.com/f0arGaIOlH
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 18, 2024
Dale Steyn’s all-time IPL playing XI and Impact Players
1. Openers
IPL winning captains, Rohit Sharma and David Warner have been named as openers in the team. They have been playing in the tournament almost since 2008 as the latter made his debut in 2009. While Sharma has led Mumbai Indians to IPL titles five times, Warner led the 2016 SRH team.
2. Middle-Order
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers and five-time IPL winning captain for Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni have made it into the middle-order slots. The likes of Kohli and De Villiers played together from 2011 to 2021 for RCB. On the other hand, Dhoni continues to lead the CSK team.
3. All-rounders and Bowlers
Dhoni’s longtime teammates, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, alongside, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Andre Russell have made it into the team. In the bowling department, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, and Yuzvendra Chahal are also named which is not a surprise at all.
4. Impact Players
Newly-appointed MI skipper Hardik Pandya, Gujarat Titans vice-captain, Rashid Khan, multiple IPL winner with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, Shane Watson, and Pacer Mohammed Shami have been named in the team.
This team will be coached by Stephen Fleming.